Schofield's delight over FC United dates

Source: thetelegraphandargus.co.uk

By Ian Whiting

The Cobbydalers are looking at two visits from the Red Army of FC United of Manchester following last weekend's North West Counties League Cup quarter-final draw.

The club spawned by supporters of the Old Trafford outfit of a similar name, who voted with their feet when it was sold to the American businessman Malcolm Glazer, have a huge following for this level of football.

That should give Silsden two money-spinning games at Cougar Park. The pair meet in the last eight of the cup a fortnight tomorrow.

The league clash should also have been on a Saturday but has been shelved twice due to FC's involvement in the FA Vase.

It has now been set for March 29, which is a Thursday, but that midweek night has been planned, as Silsden manager Paul Schofield explained.

"That is an international week and England are in Andorra on the Wednesday, which is our normal midweek night. We had to avoid staging a game when the national side has an important qualifier that will be televised.

"We asked the Cougars if we could switch and, to be fair to FC United, they also agreed with the scheduling. That left everyone happy so we could have two big gates.

"The money for the cup-tie will probably have to be shared between the clubs, but at least it gives our supporters a chance to see them at our place on a Saturday. The league game would have been better financially at a weekend.

"I'm glad we got home advantage in the cup, even though it could have brought more money in, with the split gate, if we had played at their ground.

"They play at Bury's Gigg Lane stadium, and it is very nice for the lads to play there. But it's not all about the lads. The club's lifeblood are our supporters and I'm delighted that they can look forward to two big games.

"They won't be easy because FC are chasing the league title and this will be their only opportunity to win the League Cup. They will definitely be in the UniBond League next term."